(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) arrested an armed suspect, following a reported mental health crisis and standoff on Oct. 1.
According to EPSO, the Regional Communications Center received a call alerting them to a man experiencing a mental health crisis, armed with a gun, just before midnight on Oct. 1. During the call, the victim told EPSO that they had been assaulted, and while the call was continuing, the suspect could be heard saying he would harm himself if law enforcement responded.
The suspect, now identified as 29-year-old Robert-Anthony King, stayed outside the victim’s house, where they remained inside with two children and secured the home.
Deputies arrived shortly after and tried to get in contact with King by phone, but were unsuccessful. At the same time, King kept trying to force his way into the house until he was found by the sheriff’s office.
Outside the house, deputies were able to safely persuade King to surrender without further incident.
King was booked into the El Paso County Jail on charges of Domestic Violence, Second-Degree Kidnapping, Attempted Second-Degree Assault, Third-Degree Assault, Harassment, Criminal Mischief, Criminal Tampering, and Prohibited Use of a Weapon. He is being held on a $10,000 bond.
“This incident highlights the difficult balance my deputies must maintain when responding to calls involving both a mental health crisis and criminal behavior,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “These deputies acted with compassion while ensuring accountability for violence committed against others. Protecting victims and providing opportunities for intervention are both essential to our mission of reducing victims and strengthening community safety.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available. Call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; this service provides 24/7 confidential support for anyone in crisis or emotional distress.
